Biomedical Equipment Technician

Biomedical Equipment Technicians or BMETs for short are among the most blessed profession. Usually, these men and women are employed by hospitals, private clinics, research institutions and perhaps the military. In general, BMETs install, repair, calibrate, maintain and operate biomedical equipments. In a hospital setting, next to the doctors, BMETs are the next important group of professionals because they are the only ones with the capability of operating those important and expensive machines like life support systems, MRIs, dialysis machines, lab testing machines, machines used during surgical procedures, radiographic and fluoroscopic x-ray, LASERs, Gamma cameras, positron emission tomography, CT scans and the list goes on. Since operation and maintenance of equipments are their overall responsibility, it is also their responsibility to coordinate with suppliers for parts and supplies to ensure 100% functioning of these life-saving machines.

Imagine what would happen if BMETs go on strike even for just one day, if they’re conscience can allow it. Probably, hospital operations will come to a grinding halt unless the doctors are willing to do what the BMETs do. A strike by the BMETs would mean cessation of usage of all the hospital machines. Of course, doctors would still be able to perform their routine check ups but what about those scheduled for bypass operations which would require an operator for a heart-lung machine? Who will process then the test results that will determine whether the patient needs to be surgically operated right away? The possibilities are endless, especially now when potent viruses are springing here and there and anything could happen any given day, for sure, services of BMETs are increasingly becoming more indispensable.

The best thing about BMETs is that they are highly specialized technicians so security of tenure would not be a problem aside from the fact that they are one of the highest paid technicians. The only drawback to being a BMET is the occasional emergency calls. Naturally, due to usage, machines are subject to wear and tear and these machines would break down at some point. Sometimes it could happen during holiday leaves and because lives depend on these machines, the BMETs are obliged to come in and repair the machine. The stress does not stop there, as mentioned lives depend on the proper functioning of these machines, so the BMETs will need to stay for how long until the machines are assessed to do what they should.

Outside hospitals and private clinics, BMETs can be employed by wealthy individuals who have life support systems or who have his own dialysis machine at home. Of course, they do not act on their own but simply operate the machines. These BMETs are always acting in accordance with a doctor’s advice.

Those interested in becoming a Biomedical Equipment Technician can start by enrolling in a two-year biomedical technician course. Don’t be discouraged if entry level salary is a bit low but with experience, it will get better and better. Perhaps, the best paid biomedical technicians are those working directly under an equipment manufacturer’s coupled by being holders of specialty certifications, BMET’s salary can reach up to $90,000 to $100,000 in the US.